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 Chris Ly  Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 Will 2010 be a year of recovery or double-dip recession? What’s on the horizon that may change the way you do business next year? Here are the developments and personalities we’ll be watching.
1. FHA Under New Command
When the FHA announced in late September that it was hiring a chief risk officer—for the first time in the agency’s 74-year history—it was taking preventive action. The agency had seen the market share of FHA-insured mortgages grow to almost 40 percent from about 4 percent four years ago, and its new chief, David Stevens, was not taking any chances with financial safety. When the agency’s capital-to-insurance ratio had dipped below 2 percent in one of its reserve accounts, Stevens—a veteran mortgage and real estate executive who has held key posts at Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac, and Long & Foster—immediately took steps to assess and manage FHA’s risk. The government insurer hasn’t had a major technology upgrade or staff increase in more than a decade, yet demand for the FHA’s stabilizing presence continues to grow. Can Stevens meet the demand without jeopardizing safety and soundness? Given the no-nonsense steps he’s taken to shore up his agency’s credit position, the answer appears to be yes.
Continue reading: 10 to Watch in 2010
Chris Ly Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
A bad economy has not slammed the door on the Sacramento Association of Realtors’ dedication to philanthropy, even as many individual members’ incomes drop.
The association expects to give $58,000 this year to charitable organizations, which doesn’t include volunteer hours or the $44,500 for college scholarships or the $65,000 to the Salvation Army.
SAR ranked No. 14 this year on the Business Journal’s list of largest corporate givers, ranked by 2008 cash contributions to local charities. The association gave $90,322 in cash and $15,291 in in-kind contributions.
SAR gives almost 3 percent of its gross revenue to charitable groups.
Some of the recipients of the association’s giving include Rebuilding Together, WIND Youth Services and The Salvation Army Del Oro Division.
Continue reading: Realtors Donate Money, Time to Help Rebuild the Community
Steve Goddard Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
 Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President Dear C.A.R. Member:
2010 promises to be another challenging year for both the housing market and our industry. I am honored to be your 2010 president, and look forward to speaking, meeting, and interacting with you during the coming year, whether online or in person. During my term, I’ll be focusing on efforts to ensure that the REALTOR® remains at the center of the transaction, making certain private property rights are protected at both the state and national levels, and expanding our commitment to raise the level of professionalism within our industry. I look forward to communicating with you each month, and highlighting some of the many benefits available to you through your membership in C.A.R.
I hope you’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to the new zipForm® 6, where you’ll be able to access new features and functionality not currently available with either WINForms Online® or WINForms® Desktop. I upgraded my software last month, and can tell you that it was essentially a quick and easy process. WINForms® is an essential part of my business, and I’m pleased with the new functionalities available to me now. To take advantage of free introductory webinar training, visit http://www.car.org/winforms/zipForm6/.
Next on the horizon, ePUBS™ for zipForm® 6 is going to be free for all C.A.R. members as of Jan. 1. ePUBS™ for zipForm® 6 makes it easy for you to e-mail critical mandated disclosure information like the Combined Hazards Book and helpful consumer guides to your client. You can e-mail the Combined Hazards Book with the separate signature file and offer your client a green alternative to printing out all 79 pages of the booklet — one step closer to a paperless transaction. Be on the lookout for more detailed information in coming weeks.
Continue reading: Your Monthly Message from C.A.R. President Steve Goddard – December 2009
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